Magic! **flashy hands**

I’m a little troubled, y’all. Ok, not troubled, but in a moral quandary, if you will.

Lately–in TV & movies there have been more characters with “autism” (the kid in Touch was first described as having Autism, but is now said to be “emotionally disturbed”–more thoughts on that lil change by ThAutcast) than there have been in the past. And while i celebrate their step into the limelight, it’s actually starting to bug me.

The first (that i started paying attention to) is of course Max from Parenthood. He doesn’t really bug me much–he’s a bit more… self-aware than an actual kid with Aspergers might be–but it’s TV. if characters on TV were like real life, most of the time we wouldn’t watch because a) it would be too boring or b) it would be too uncomfortable(think Hoarders). So TV and it’s writers need to find the mix between the two that keep the audience coming back I get that.

Let us not forget the undiagnosed Sheldon COoper on Big Bang Theory. I know Chuck has said that Sheldon is not an Aspie–but Autie moms know better. If you wanna call him PDD-NOS to feel better, Chuck, we’re ok with that. Acceptance is really the only way to come to terms with the diagnosis…

But let’s put Sheldon and Max aside. They are not who I want to address.

No, I want to discuss the rise of the “magical Autie”.

You know the kind: their “gifts” help solve crimes, or reach new understandings about life, or keep Keifer Sutherland’s acting career going.

I will admit, I haven’t watched Touch or Alphas or Numbers for that matter–because frankly none of the shows work for me. I’m not a crime show gal, and I tried to watch Alphas and found it wanting.

But maybe I avoid for another reason?

I am all for giving attention to Autism and getting people to recognize that it is something everyone will have to deal with (probably) in their life time. You will meet at least one person on the spectrum–unless you live on a desert island with a volleyball. And even then…

(think about it–non verbal, lack of eye contact, detached from the situation….)

And I am all for celebrating the “quirks” our children with Autism have. And finding a way to make those quirks work FOR them rather than against them. Yes yes. (can you tell I’ve been having this argument in my head for a while?)

But, an image is evolving that may not well serve the Autism community. Not every kid with Autism can solve 20-year-old cold cases. sorry. Some of them will never be able to live on their own or even hold a job. They can’t all count cards and win big in vegas. But they also have value. They also have lives that are very real and rewarding. They also have parents that try to help them every day to live their lives to the bet of their ability and find joy–in whatever form that takes. But they aren’t celebrated or touted, or even written into movies or films as anything other than a hardship or sadness. WE SEE THIS HOLLYWOOD. We aren’t blind.

A few years back, my Old Man pointed out the role of the “magical negro” (coined by Spike Lee) to me in certain movies and TV shows. You know the kind–the African-American companion that has all the answers and helps the white protagonist through the most difficult times–like a crappy movie about golf? I guess I’m just afraid that folks with autism are gonna be lumped into this category as well.

Look, it’s hard enough to fight the Rainman stereotypes, without someone looking for special gifts in my son. Sure–he may have special gifts. He may learn to defy gravity some day that helps up live in space (this prediction made solely on the fact that he fights gravity on a daily basis, often ending in screams of frustration, only to try his impossible upside-down hotwheel racetrack scenario again.)–but if he does have that or other gifts, I’d prefer they develop naturally. Moreover, I’d like people to value him because he’s a cool dude, and not because he can visualize wormholes.

So, Hollywood, while I commend you for trying to represent a part of society’s sometimes disenfranchised, could we have a little less miracle-working?

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6 thoughts on “Magic! **flashy hands**”

I hear you Dawn. There’s a lot of stereotypes involved with autism/Asperger’s. I read online(take it at face value) that Rainman didn’t even have Asperger’s at all, yet he is commonly referred to as the Asperger’s guy.

OMG, I had this exact conversation with hubs after we saw a commercial for Touched. Same thing: I’m glad to see autism being included and recognized, but I don’t care for them characterizing them as having these mythical abilities. It’s just not realistic. It paints them in a one-dimensional light.

Why not a show about a family that’s literally going broke trying to get services for their spectrum child, while trying to hold down jobs, live some kind of normal-looking life, and have a biannual date night?? Oh, I guess that’s just too real.

Hello … I watched Touch and my feeling was this … The 1st part hit a little too close to home so it made me emotional and the hubby and his friend had a good time laughing at me for crying and the 2nd part was just too far fetched and made me annoyed for all the reasons you said in your post. I’m with you on this one.

*Pops collar*

about.me

I am a SAHM, freelance writer and Jill of All Trades. I spend my days chasing after my “Au-some” son, writing for my two blogs, preparing for the zombie apocalypse, crafting anything and everything imaginable, ignoring the dog and introducing my son to the finer points of rock and roll.

I do not suffer fools and I dislike people in general, but for some reason, no one seems to hold that against me. They should. I would. ;)

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